Steve Nelson Yeutter Institute International Trade Internship Award
The Steve Nelson Yeutter Institute International Trade Internship Award provides one University of Nebraska-Lincoln student annually the opportunity to work in the heart of the trade policy community in Washington, D.C. at the Washington International Trade Association (WITA). The award was established in 2021 by the Nebraska Farm Bureau to honor longtime president Steve Nelson, an advocate for opening international markets for Nebraska's farmers and ranchers.
WITA is a non-profit, voluntary organization dedicated to providing a neutral forum in the nation's capital for the discussion of international trade issues. WITA relies heavily upon the support and assistance of interns. In return, interns are given tremendous opportunity to learn about the global trade community, the Washington political and economic environment and specifics of international trade as well as practical office skills and interaction.
Applications are now open for summer 2021. If travel is not possible the summer 2021 internship will be completed virtually. Applications close Thursday, February 18.
What to Expect
The intern will work under the mentorship of WITA’s executive director and managing director and gain valuable exposure to and experience with trade policy issues and trade leaders in business, agriculture, law, academia, non-governmental organizations, embassies, and the U.S. Government, and gain practice in thinking through the factors important to planning trade policy events, from researching issues to thinking about the needs of the audience. In addition, the intern will be required to work on a project related to agriculture that is also beneficial to the growth and promotion of WITA. This project is discussed and determined in conjunction with the Executive Director, and is due upon completion of the internship.
Following completion of the internship, the intern will be required to use skills gained to plan a Yeutter Institute educational event for students and the public on an agricultural trade policy issue important to Nebraska, with assistance from the Yeutter Institute Director and Assistant Director.
Duties include, but are not limited to:
- Answering phones, filing, sorting mail, making deposits, etc. as office needs dictate.
- Planning, preparation and participation in WITA events and programs.
- Maintaining the WITA web page and the membership database on a daily basis.
- Following current trade events and updating over 16000 trade professionals through the America’s Trade Policy web page.
- Having an integrated role with the Young Trade Professionals organization.
- Helping produce/design flyers and promotional materials.
- Assisting in the organization of WITA's Annual Awards Dinner.
This internship is distinct from other internships offered by WITA, however you can read about past intern experiences at The WITA Internship Experience. Students may work with their academic advisor to receive credit for the internship.
Stipend and Timeline
The award program provides $6,000 annually for a student to intern full-time in the summer. WITA internships are generally unpaid; this stiped can be applied towards travel, living and other expenses while interning in Washington. Students may receive additional reimbursement for commuting costs during the summer. Timing is flexible but students should expect to be available for 10 consecutive weeks.
Qualifications
- Demonstrated interest in agriculture and international trade policy
- Proven oral and written communication skills
- Excellent computer skills
- Students with sophomore standing or above pursuing any major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, with preference given to candidates pursuing a degree program in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR) or the College of Business. (Exceptions to this qualification will be handled on a case-by-case basis.)
TO APPLY
Serious applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to yeutterinstitute@unl.edu with the subject 2021 Nelson Yeutter Trade Internship Application. Cover letters should address:
- Three main things that you hope to accomplish or learn during your internship
- Your interest in agriculture and international trade policy
- Your dates of availability
Applications close Thursday, February 18 for the summer 2021 position.